According to CBN, Virtual currencies (VCs) such as bitcoin, and others, have not been recognised as legal tender in Nigeria but they are already being traded in exchange platforms that are unregulated all over the world.

European Central Bank in 2012 defined virtual currency or virtual money as “a type of unregulated, digital money, which is issued and usually controlled by its developers, and used and accepted among the members of a specific virtual community.

The CBN in its circular explained that payments and exchanges using virtual currencies are largely untraceable and anonymous, rendering its operation susceptible to abuse by criminals, especially in money laundering and terrorism and therefore the Virtual currencies (VCs) should not be accepted by any bank or financial institutions.

The circular stated in part:

“The attention of banks and other financial institutions is hereby drawn to the above risks and you are required to take the following actions pending substantive regulation decision by the CBN.

Ensure that you do not use, hold, trade, and/ or transact in any way in virtual currencies; Ensure that existing customers, that are virtual customers exchangers, have effective AML/CFT controls that enables them to comply with customers’ identification, verification and transaction monitoring requirement

Where banks or financial institutions are not satisfied with controls put in place by the virtual currency exchangers/customers the relationship should be discontinued immediately, and lastly, Any suspicious transactions by these customers should immediately be reported to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

GOSSIP! Hmmmmm, it is unfortunate that neither CBN nor government can stop the advancement of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria although they will definitely try . Cryptocurrencies have ‘crypto’ into Nigeria system of payment. In Lagos Nigeria, Bitcoin is already being traded openly. So, what are we talking about here?

What do you think would be the fate of the Crytopcurrency like Bitcoin in near future in Nigeria? Start saying your mind now using comment box below, feel free.